Pope Francis called for Muslims and all religious leaders to condemn Islamic State extremists who “pervert” religion to justify violence, as he visited Albania. He held up the Balkan nation as a model for interfaith harmony for the rest of the world.

Pope Francis urges Muslims to condemn extremists

At this occasion he said, “To kill in the name of God is a grave sacrilege. To discriminate in the name of God is inhuman. This is especially the case in these times in which authentic religious spirit is being perverted by extremist groups,” he said.

“Let no one consider themselves to be the `armour’ of God while planning and carrying out acts of violence and oppression!” Pope Francis added.